The daily fantasy sports industry got wins on a number of legislative fronts this week, the biggest coming when Arkansas’ statehouse sent a bill to the governor’s desk.
In the sports betting world, there was news in the New Jersey sports betting case.
DFS legislation update
The news was mostly good on the DFS front this week:
- In a move that seemed inevitable, Arkansas officially sent a bill to Gov. Asa Hutchinson. Given the wide margins the bill passed by — a House concurrence vote was 85-0 — he is likely to sign it.
- The Vermont Senate passed a bill that contains a number of consumer protections, including some affecting daily fantasy sports.
- A DFS bill in Florida passed another committee vote unanimously. DFS’ progress, however, is complicated by over-arching gaming discussions in the state.
- Maine will consider DFS for the first time.
- A public hearing took place on a bill in Texas, but no vote was held.
The DFS bill tally
The number of states that have introduced legislation seeking to legalize DFS in 2017 tallies 23. The the addition of Maine, the number of states with active legislation rises to 21:
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kentucky
- Minnesota
- Montana
- Nebraska
- New Jersey
- New Hampshire
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Texas
- Vermont
- Washington
- Maine
Legal Sports Report’s legislative tracker has up-to-the-minute updates on all DFS legislation.
Sports betting legalization update
New Jersey’s case to legalize sports betting saw some forward momentum this week.
The US Solicitor General summoned relevant parties for a meeting that will take place on Monday. That comes before a brief that the SG’s office will file at the behest of the US Supreme Court.
If the SG sides with New Jersey and says the nation’s highest court should hear New Jersey’s appeal, the state — and perhaps the US as a whole — could be one step closer to legalization of sports betting.
NHL getting more liberal?
A report from Sports Illustrated noted the NHL will allow the Las Vegas Golden Knights to do deals with casinos — including ones with sportsbooks.
The pro hockey league still officially remains opposed to legal sports betting, at last check. It is still a plaintiff in the New Jersey case. But like many other leagues, its stance appears to be evolving.
